2019

It was my joy and privilege to spend two weeks with the staff and students at Sihabonghabong. Soon after our course was underway, one of the girls called me ‘Grandpa’ and this rapidly took off. In response I called them my ‘cucu’ (choo-choo), my grandchildren. This was typical of the affectionate way I was welcomed […]

If we were to believe everything Hollywood has to say about Buddhism, we could be excused for thinking it was a religion epitomising peace and tranquillity. Surrounded by lush gardens in idyllic settings, people practising Buddhism are depicted as having achieved a more enlightened, less burdened way of life. But that is very different to […]

The Cameron Highlands in Central Malaysia are breathtakingly beautiful. Untouched jungles border manicured tea plantations, monkeys frolic on the side of the road, and tourists stop for ‘selfies’ in front of stunning waterfalls. Every turned corner presents a view more beautiful than the last. But, on a recent visit there with Program Officer Erin Kerber, […]

I’m Rina Tobing, a 12th grade student who attends HKBP P.Siantar High School. Life is not as easy as we think, and it is not as difficult as we feel. It has lots of twists and turns we never planned. I have always believe in Jesus. He is the light of my path and his […]

Rev. Gloriati Ndraha is a pastor and lecturer at STT (Sekolah Tinggi Teologi) Sundermann Seminary, located on Nias Island, Indonesia. In 2019, Gloria was a recipient of an LCA International Mission sabbatical scholarship, researching and studying in Adelaide. In 2019, the scholarship allowed Gloria to take sabbatical leave from her seminary position and travel to […]

During a recent visit to Thailand, we were hosted by Pastor Tovo from Madagascar, who is serving as a missionary in the Nan province. As we pulled up to a roadside restaurant owned by a friend of Pastor Tovo, my colleague Erin asked him if the restaurant owner was a Christian. Tovo profoundly replied, ‘Not […]

In October 2019 I travelled to Singapore to offer a teaching seminar for pastors and church workers of the Lutheran Church in Singapore (LCS). The seminar was on the Person and work of the Spirit in mission, and was based on some of the material in a new book ‘Spirit Filled: Normal Christian Living’ (written […]

The first Bahasa word I learned during my visit to Borneo was ‘awas’ meaning ‘watch out’. I saw it again and again on signs along the highway of the island’s north coast, warning of impending dangers. Sometimes, when there is an especially sharp turn, or rise or dip in the road, ‘awas’ is preceded with […]

Since 2007, Dianne and I have been involved with Myanmar mission work, having travelled there quite a number of times now. In early September 2019 we arrived in Myanmar and spent five weeks doing volunteer work. On the night we arrived, I went to bed and prayed to God, as I was feeling overwhelmed and […]